How Do I Relieve Left Arm & Back Pain?

Relieving left arm and back pain is not a simple thing to do since there are many different causes. Left arm and back pain can be temporary or long-term and can interfere with your daily living. Before receiving treatment, see a doctor to identify the cause of the pain. It may be difficult to pinpoint, so doctors will usually try various procedures to discover a cure. Until they find the answer, they may treat the pain so you can function again.

Things You'll Need

• Tens machine
• Medication
• Epsom salt
• Compresses

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine the causes of left arm pain. See a cardiologist to rule out a possible heart condition. Realize that arm pain can also result from a disc injury in the neck or from spinal trauma irritating the nerves. Consult an orthopedist or a physiatrist, both trained in treating pain. Get a CAT scan or MRI to help analyze the problem if necessary. You may have pulled a muscle or caused inflammation of the arm by sitting at a desk for long periods.

• 2

  Identify back pain as a prerequisite for treatment. Be aware that some back pain may resolve itself in a few weeks. Learn possible causes such as disc injury or spinal trauma. Check for tingling or numbness by pushing the skin to see if you feel a sensation. Learn that there are 23 discs that degenerate as you age. You may have spinal stenosis, a condition that puts pressure on the nerves. See an orthopedist or physiatrist who will probably order an MRI or CAT scan of the back.

• 3

  Consider a pain management center for arm or back pain or both. Follow any instructions given regarding medications, which could be anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxers or pain reducers such as cortisone. Stop smoking and lose weight if needed. Avoid stress and correct your posture. Arrange for physical therapy where massages and deep heat treatments are available. Learn the value of exercising. Get injections if advised by your doctor; these may include cortisone epidurals into the spine or lidoderm into trigger points of a muscle. Avoid carrying heavy packages and keep items close to your body. If working at a computer, get up and walk around every twenty minutes. Be careful not to fall.

• 4

  Learn back exercises as suggested by your physical therapist. Lie on your back and flatten the small of your back against the floor and tilt upward. Hold for 10 seconds. Pull your knees to your chest and hold for 60 seconds while lying down. Lie on your back and rotate knees to one side. Hold for 60 seconds. Alternate to the other side.

• 5

  Use home remedies. Make a hot compress and put it on the sore area for 20 minutes followed by ice for 10 minutes. Take frequent walks. Rent a tens machine from your doctor. This is a small device with batteries and electrodes that attach to the painful area and cause vibrations to alleviate pain. Purchase rubs from the drug store, especially those with capsaisin, a derivative of hot peppers. Use these periodically as needed.

• 6

  Go to an acupuncturist for the ancient Chinese needle treatment. Buy some herbal remedies such as capsaicin, ginger or tumeric. Visit a specialist in behavioral therapy or biofeedback to learn how to control muscle tension. Take a bath with epsom salt. Visit a chiropractor. Consult with a surgeon if nothing else works.